Major Setback

[keepmovin]

Hi Brian,

A little late chiming in but just wanted to express how sorry I am to hear about what you had to endure.  I am glad to hear that after a long battle, you ended up with good advice, received excellent care and got the surgery you needed.  ( I like the reference - hip solider!)

What is disturbing is even after you had the allergy testing, you still had a reaction.  Is there anyway to explain this?  I guess no matter how hard we try, there are no guarantees! :-\

Keep us posted on your new THR.  I hope to hear that you will soon love your new hip and the freedom it will eventually give you to do what you enjoy most!   

[Brian Wilson]

Never too late keepmovin! Thanks.

Following my surgery, my surgeon sent samples to pathology and hopefully she will have more information on what went wrong when I see her next week. I am also going to follow up with the dermatologist who did the patch testing to see if she can offer any insight.

[hernanu]

That's good, Brian - keep us posted.

[Reno]

Hi Brian-

We had our procedures on the same day, Aug 26th, except that I had a THR.  I am so sorry, and my words echo those of the many other Hippies who have offered words to cheer you on in your second round of recovery!  You have done it once, and it seems you are doing quite well this time around. 

You will be in my thoughts over the coming weeks.
Reno.

[Brian Wilson]

Thanks Reno. The hip seems to be doing well. I saw my surgeon on Thursday and she says the x-rays look good. She wants me to stay on the crutches for four more weeks though. My biggest issues right now are still from the blood loss, but they will get better with time.

How is your recovery coming now that you're about 10-11 weeks out?

[Reno]

Hi Brian-

I am coming along pretty good now at almost 11 weeks.  I knew I was moving forward when I found myself crossing my legs, pretzel style (I am an unconscious leg crosser...).  Physical therapy has been difficult but getting better.  Two weeks ago I pulled my groin muscle in therapy, so I laid off somewhat.  My PT thinks that the avascular necrosis is affecting my recovery process, but I am doing okay.  I went to water aerobics last week with my girlfriend, and I swam across the pool and back, and otherwise just took it easy.  It was wonderful being in the water. I still can't walk very far in earnest, but I seem able to walk around shopping for a few hours...  :-) The biggest thing is I don't feel utterly exhausted like I did just a few weeks ago.  I actually cooked a full meal last night (my boyfriend has beeen cook/washer person/cleaning person/driver, etc.) and he is happy to have me take back some responsibilities.  I guess the party is over for me... :-) 

I am glad you are doing so well this time around. You too, will be back and better soon.

Take care.
 

[Brian Wilson]

Just checking in at about 12 weeks post-op - things are progressing well. After six weeeks of being limited to 50% weight bearing following my THR, I have since made steady progress. I spent 18 days in Europe over New Years and did a ton of walking, some of which towards the end was without any aids at all. I do have to concentrate on firing the correct muscles to avoid limping, but both my physiotherapist and I believe that my strength is returning quickly, especially after being unable to walk without aid since my first suregry in August. I am pain free and back in the gym riding the stationary bike, doing the eliptical and lifting weights in an effort to regain some of the muscle mass that I lost and shed some of the pounds that I gained while I was inactive. I am ready to cycle outside when some of the ice that we have here in Toronto disappears. I am looking forward to getting back at the activities that I have been unable to do for a while now.

[Reno]

Hi Brian-

I am so happy to hear your wonderful news about how well you are coming along!  It is hard to believe it has been 12 weeks for your second go round... You are working very hard to get back your strength and I know you will reap the benefits. As of yesterday, I am 5 months and one week and feeling great most days. Some times, when my back is acting up, my hip really hurts and I walk like the mummy. But I recover pretty quickly and the following day I am good to go again.

Good luck with that ice melting in your area. We, here in Cincinnati Ohio, are knee deep (I exaggerate) in snow again...  :-(

Please keep me posted as to your progress. Oh, and, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours!
Reno

[Brian Wilson]

Hi Reno,

Happy New Year to you and yours also. I am happy to hear that you're doing well most days. We have avoided a lot of the snow in our neck of the woods, but it has been cold (fortunately I was in Europe for most of the early January deep freeze) and a lot of the ice from our pre-Christmas ice storm is still around, especially on the bike trail that I use to get to work. I wouldn't want to go down on the ice at this stage and set my recovery back, so I will exercise caution and wait for the ice to melt.

[Reno]

Hi Brian-

Your plan, "I will exercise caution and wait for the ice to melt..." sounds like a good one.  I am scared to death of falling...  Be careful out there the rest of this never-ending Winter!

Take care.
Reno

[hernanu]

Good news that you're getting back your strength, Brian.

Brian, Reno -
I was also scared of falling, throughout, but if enough time has passed, when you do you'll find that the hip is very strong. Take care early, but later on you can be confident in your hip(s).

[Reno]

Hi Hern and Brian-

As always, thanks for your encouraging words, Hern!  INow Brian, if we can just make it through this never ending Winter...

Take care guys.
Reno